Usage note
过年是用来庆祝新年的活动。
guònián shì yòng lái chéng zhù xīn nián de huó dònɡ.
过年 is used to celebrate the new year.
Context note
过年通常在春节期间使用，比如除夕夜和春节。
guònián tōng cháng zài jié piān qī jiǎn shí sòng yònɡ, bǐ rú chú xī yè hé jiē pínɡ.
过年 is commonly used during the Spring Festival period, such as New Year's Eve and Spring Festival.
5 examples
春节的时候，我们过年。
chūn jié de shí hòu， wǒ men guò nián。
During the Spring Festival, we celebrate the new year.
过年时吃饺子。
guò nián shí chī jiǎo zǐ。
We eat dumplings when celebrating the new year.
过年穿新衣服。
guò nián chuān xīn yī fu。
We wear new clothes during the new year celebration.
过年放鞭炮。
guò nián fàng biān pào。
We set off firecrackers when celebrating the new year.
过年走亲访友。
guò nián zǒu qīn fǎng yǒu。
During the new year, we visit relatives and friends.
5 mini stories
每年过年的时候，我们都会去看烟花表演。
měi nián guò nián de shí hòu， wǒ men dōu huì qù kàn yān huā biǎo yǎn。
Every year during the new year celebration, we always go to watch the fireworks show.
过年的时候，妈妈会做很多好吃的食物。
guò nián de shí hòu， mā ma huì zuò hěn duō hǎo chī de shí wù。
During the new year celebration, mom makes a lot of delicious food.
过年的时候，我们会给长辈拜年。
guò nián de shí hòu， wǒ men huì gěi zhǎng bèi bài nián。
During the new year celebration, we give greetings to our elders.
过年的时候，我们会放很多的灯笼。
guò nián de shí hòu， wǒ men huì fàng hěn duō de dēng long。
During the new year celebration, we hang many lanterns.
过年的时候，我们会贴春联。
guò nián de shí hòu， wǒ men huì tiē chūn lián。
During the new year celebration, we put up Spring Festival couplets.
Mini dialogue
过年真开心
A
你们家怎么过年？
Nǐmen jiā zěnme guònián?
How does your family celebrate the New Year?
B
我们全家一起吃年夜饭，还放烟花。
Wǒmen quánjiā yīqǐ chī niányèfàn, hái fàng yānhuā.
Our whole family eats New Year's Eve dinner together and also sets off fireworks.
准备过年
A
快过年了，你高兴吗？
Kuài guònián le, nǐ gāoxìng ma?
The New Year is coming soon, are you happy?
B
当然高兴，过年可以穿新衣服。
Dāngrán gāoxìng, guònián kěyǐ chuān xīn yīfu.
Of course I'm happy, I can wear new clothes for the New Year.
Related words and contrasts
related
春节
chūn jié
Spring Festival
the holiday celebrated during 过年
similar
庆祝
qìng zhù
to celebrate
general verb for celebrating
related
拜年
bài nián
pay a New Year visit
a custom during 过年